Coal stoker



Aug. l, 1933; A. ousDAl-n..

`COAL STOKER Filed Aug. 29, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet l Gear dr' d we caszng for remover Aug. l, 1933. A. ousDAHL 1,920,912

COAL sToKER v Filed Aug. 29, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 doZp/z O sda/2! Patented Aug. 1, 1933 COAL STOK'ER Adolph. Ousdahl, Seattle, Wash., assigner, by mesne assignments,.to Henry M. Brooks, New York, N. Y., William Tudor Gardiner, Augusta, Maine, and Richard Kingsley Hawes, Fall River,

Mass., as Trustees Application August 29, 1927. Serial No. 216,059

25 claims.

My invention relates to an improvement in coal stakers, and is particularly directed to the means for removing ashes following the consumption of the fuel.

My inventionis applicable to many types of stokers, but as it is designed particularly for use in connection with such stokers as those illustrated in Patents No. 1,825,432 to Edgar T. Warner and No. 1,785,456 to Adolph Ousda'hl, I will describe it in connection with such burners.

It has been found in the installation of such burners that frequently there is not su'fliclent room within the fire chamber of the furnace to allow the use of an ash ringwplaced immediately below the edge of the burner, as is shown in my Y Iapplication referred to above. However, if the ash ring can be placed `considerably lower than the edge of the burner, it may be made smaller in diameter. Thus, it is one of my objects in this application to providel ash removal means, consisting of Scrapers and an ash ring, which may be located most conveniently in the ash chamber of the'furnace, Well below the edge of the burner.

A further object is the provision of suchash removal means which may be conveniently assembled, and which may be driven from the ash remOVal SCIGW O1' Conveyor.

A further object is the provision of such ash removal means which are simple, convenient to assemble, and sturdy. f

A further object is the provision of means whereby4 the introduction of ashes into the rotative or journal portions of the mechanism, all of Figure 4 is a detail bottom elevation on the line 4-4 of Figure 5.

Figure 5 is a View similar to Figure 2, showing the ash removing means associated with a diiferan air conduit 94, supplies air to the burner,

designated in general by the numeral 8. The coal feed screw 91 supplies coal to this burner. The motor, through the gearing 90 and associated gearing 90', also drives` an ash removal screw 95', located in an ash conduit 96, leading to an ash spout 97, by means of which the ashes v are removed and delivered into a receiver, such as the can C, located in an ash pit P in the which is in intimate association with these ashes,v

may largely be prevented.

My invention comprises the novel parts, and the novel combination and arrangement thereof, as shown in the accompanying drawings, described in the specication, and particularly dened by the claims terminating the same.

In the accompanying drawings I have shown my invention in a form which is now preferred by me, and in association with several types of 55 Figure 2.

floor.

While it will be understood lthat the burner 8 may be of any suitable construction, reference to Figure 2 will show that it is composed of a burner pot 80 and a grate 81 resting upon the burner pot. This grate section forms substantially a continuation of the burner pot 80, and curves upwardly and outwardly, so that fuel introduced into the burner pot by the feed screw 91 is directed upwardly through the pot and grate, and eventually is consumed and spills over the edge of the grate as ashes. For convenience the grate is supported upon the upper edge of the burnerpot, and upon a casing 82, which forms, with the pot and the grate, an air chamber 83 in communication with the air conduit 94 (see Figure 2).

, As air is supplied to the air chamber 83 under pressure from the fan 93, it is highly desirable that it should be closed except for the outlet into the burner. Thus a plate 34 is employed to close the bottom of this air chamber, but as ashes are liable to fall into this chamber from the burner,- this plate 84 is apertured and cooperates with a plate 85, similarly apertured, toform a shaker bottom. Thus means are provided, such as the rod 86, (see Figure l), which is connected to one of these plates 84 or 85, preferably the latter, so that the holes may be brought into registry to discharge ashes at will, and ordinarilykept out of registry to maintain the chamber 83 closed.

While the burner 4and casing might be supported upon the floor of the furnace, preferably there is provided a base 1 which rests upon the furnace door and which, in turn, supports the casing 82 and the pot and grate structure. Preferably, this base is in the form of a cup open at its upper end, and provided with a flange or lug 10 to support an ash ring 2, and with a central boss 11 upraised above its open upper edge.l This boss forms the supportl of the burner and its casing. The plate' 84, which forms the bottom of the casing, is provided with an aperture 87, which fits over the upper end of the boss 11. The plate 84 rests upon a nut 12 secured upon the upper end of the boss l1. This nut serves to retain a rotative member 3, having a bearing at 13, upon the boss. This bearing may be of the anti-friction type if desired, and is so shown.

The ash ring 2, supported upon the lug 10, is complete except that there is a gap left at one point where the ash conduit 96 is connected to the base 1. At this point the conduit itself is cut away, as is shown at 98, so that ashes which are carried about the ring 2, upon reaching this point, will drop into the conduit 96, and will be engaged by the feed screw 95 to be removed. i As shown herein, they are finally disposed of by dropping them into the spout 97, by means of which they are directed into the receiver or can C, though any other suitable disposal means might be equally appropriate.

In order to sweep the ashes from the ring 2, sweepers or Scrapers 4 are provided. One or several of these may be employed. As shown herein, I employ two. These rotate slightly above the ash ring 2 and sweep ashes therefrom into the opening 98 in the ash removal conduit. To cause this rotation, a rotatable member is provided which is journaled upon the boss 11, preferably. Thus the plate 3 serves as such a rotatable member, and carries pins 4l projecting radially at various points from bosses 30, from which pins 41 the ash scrapers 4 are pivotally suspended; It should be noted that the Scrapers 4 do not quite contact with the ash ring 2, and are free to swing. Thus, not contacting with the ring 2, they do not make a scraping noise when sweeping ashes therealong. Being free to swing, they will not be blocked by large pieces or clinkers, but will swing thereover and sweep them up, or sweep them farther along, at least, on their next revolution.

Revolution of the rotative plate 3 may be effected in various ways. However, inasmuch as in the preferred construction illustrated in Figure 2, the coal feed screw does-not operate any mechanism at the burner end, it is convenient to connect the end of the ash feed screw, which is squared as illustrated at 99, to a socketed pinion 31 journaled at 14 in the boss 11 and at 15 in a ring or bushing 16, threaded into the base 1. The purpose of this bushing is to separate the interior of the base 1 from the ash conduit 96. By providing gear teeth 33 upon the under side of the plate 3, these teeth meshing with the teeth of the pinion 31, it is possible, when the ash feed screw is rotated, to rotate the plate 3 and consequently the ash scrapers 4.

It will be noted that the open upper end of the base 1 is substantially closed by the plate 3. As the base 1 is hollow and as it is desirable that the operation of the gears 31 and 33 and bearing 13 be not interfered with byv the introduction of ashes into this hollow space, it is highly desirable that the introduction of ashes beneath the plate 3 be prevented. To tls end I have flanged its outer periphery downward, as

indicated at 34, over the upper edge of the base 1. This, in itself, would scarcely be suflicient to prevent the introduction of ashes, although it assists in this end. In order to positively direct the ashes away from this joint between the flange 34 and the edge of the base 1, I have provided serrations 35, as best seen in Figure 4, which are inclined in the direction of movement of the plate 3 (note the arrow in Figure 3), whereby the tendency of these inclined surfaces of the serrations 35 is to push the ashes outwardly and away from this ange 34.

In installingthe device within a furnace, the base 1 will ordinarily rest upon the floor F of the ash chamber 8 of the furnace. The burner 8 with its casing 82 will rest upon this base 1 and thus will project into the upper portion of the re chamber of the furnace, as represented by the bricks or lining B. Fuel forced into the burner pot and upward through the grate 81 will, in the course of its passage therethrough, be consumed and will pass over the edge of the grate as ashes. It is immaterial that the ash ring 2 may be so small in diameter that it will not fill the ash chamber, for it will suciently ll the same that ashes which may collect below it will ultimately pile up onto/the ring 2, and when they reach this position will be swept therefrom by the sweepers 4, in the manner heretofore described, and removed through the ash conduit 96. Thus it is not essential, or even desirable that the ash removal means should have any connection with the coal feed means, other than their drive from the common motor 9. The ash removal means thus are wholly self-contained and self-operated. When ashes by chance fall into the air chamber 83, they may be removed by operation of the shaker plate 85 and will then fall upon the plate 3, from whence they are eventually removed by the means heretofore described and carried out With the ashes which fall from the edge of the burner.

In Figure 5, the Ousdahl form of burner is shown, wherein the coal feed screw 91 operates a rotative grate 81. In this form the coal feed screw 91 is connected for driving to the end of a stub shaft 5 journaled in the burner pot 80 and carrying a bevel'gear 51 meshing with a bevel gear 52 upon a vertical shaft 53 journaled within the air chamber 83. A pinion 54 on this shaft 53 meshes with a ring gear 55 carried by the collar 56, to which the rotative grate 81' is secured. The operation of the ash removing means in this form is identical with that already described. The ashes eventuallyspill over the edge of the grate 81 and fall upon the ash ring 2, from whence they are swept by the scrapers 4 into the aperture 98 of the ash conduit. In this view the ash removal means is shown in elevation, the construction being in every respect identical to that shown in section in Figure 2.

It will be noted that the bushing 16 is threaded in the base, and that it is accessible through the aperture 98. Also, it will be noted that the bushing 16, the shaft 15 which it carries, and the pinion 31 thereon, all may be withdrawn through the aperture in the base which receives the bushing 16, and through the ash conduit 96. If it is only desired to withdraw the pinion 31, it is only necessary to partially withdraw the screw 95, whereupon the bushing 16 can be reached through the opening 98, and may be withdrawn to permit withdrawal of the pinion. The bushing 16 is provided with slots 16 for engagement by a Spanner, screw driver, or like tool in withw drawing it. The journal at 14 is sumeiently loose thatthe pinion is easily withdrawn therefrom by axial movement.

What I claim as my invention is:

l. In an automatic coal stoker, in combination, a burner structure, supply conduits connected thereto, means for advancing. fuel through a ,supply conduit, a base supporting said burner structure, an ash ring supported on said base, ash

scrapers movable over said ash ring, an ash conduit adapted to receive ashes from said ring,

land means independent of said fuel advancing means and said burner structure ior moving said Scrapers.

2.1In an automatic coal stoker, in combina tion, a burner structure, a fuel supply conduit connected thereto, a base supporting said burnof said burner, an ash conduit opening bej'neath said ring, a conveyor element therein and 30 l'independent of `the burner structure, Scrapers movable over said ring to advance ashes to said jash conduit opening, and means operable from said conveyor for. moving said Scrapers.

fi. In an automatic coal Stoker, in combination, a burner structure, a base supporting the "same, an ash ring positioned well below the j upper edge of said burner, an ash conduit opening beneath said ring, a conveyor element therein,

scrapers movable over said ring to advance ashes to said ash conduit opening, a plate journaled between the burner structure and the base, and supporting said Scrapers, and means independent of said burner structure for rotating said plate.

5. In an automatic coal stoker, in combination, a burner structure, means for advancing fuel thereinto, a base supporting the burner, an ash ring positioned Well below the upper edge of said burner, an ash conduit opening beneath said I ring, a conveyor element therein, and independent of said fuel advancing, means Scrapers movable over said ring to advance ashes to said ash conduit opening, a plate journaled on the base between the base and the burner structure, said scrapers being carried by said plate, said plate also carrying a gear projecting within the base, and a pinion meshing therewith, and journaled in said base, and engageable by said ash conveyor element to be rotated thereby.

6. In an automatic coal stoker, in combination, a burner structure,a base open at its upper end and having a central boss adapted to support said structure, an ash ring supported on said base below its upper edge, an ash conduit opening beneath ,said ring, a plate journaled on said base and covering its open upper end, ash Scrapers carried by said plate and movable over the ash ring, to advance ashes to said ash conduit, and means for rotating said plate.

7. In an automatic 4c oal stoker, in combination, a burner structure, a base open at its upper end and having a central boss adapted to support said structure, an ash ring supported on said base below its upper edge, an ash conduit opening beneath said ring, a plate journaled on said base and covering its open upper end, 'ash Scrapers for rotating said ring, said burner structure including a pair of apertured discs forming its bottom and located above said plate, and means for moving one of said discs relative to the other to bring the apertures into registry at will for the discharge of ashes.

8. In an automatic coal Stoker, in combination. a burner structure, a base open at its upper end and having a central boss adapted to support said structure, an ash ring supported on said base below its upper edge, 'an ash conduit opening be neath said ring, a plate journaled on said base and covering its open upper end, a flange depending from theA edge of said plate below the edge oi said open upper end of the base, the lower edge of said flange being serrated, and the. serrated surfaces being inclined, relative to the direction of. rotation of said plate, to direct ashes outa wardly, means for rotating said plate, and ash Scrapers movable over said ring to advance ashes falling thereon to said ash conduit.

9. In an automatic coal Stoker, in combination,

a burner structure, a base open at its upper end I0@ l and having a central boss adapted to support said structure, an ash ring supported on said base beiJ low its upper edge, an ash conduit opening beneath said ring, a plate journaled on said base and covering its open upper end, pins projecting from said plate above the ash ring, ash scrapers pivotally hung upon said pins, and suspended out of contact with the ash ring, and meanslfor rox1 tating said plate to advance ashes falling upon said ring to the ash conduit.

l0. In an automatic coal Stoker, in combinae tion, a burner structure, a base open at its nupper end and having a central'boss adapted to support said structure, an ash ring supported on said base below its upper edge, an ash conduit opening belid neath said ring, a plate journaled on said base and covering its open upper end, pins projecting from said plate above the ash ring, ash Scrapers pivotally hung upon said pins, and suspended out of contact with the ash ring, the lower surface of l2@ said Scrapers being curved coaxially with the axis oi said pins, and means for rotating said plate to advance ashes falling upon said ring to the ash conduit. i'

1l. The combination with a burner and a base 125 l supporting the same, of means for feeding` fuel to and through said burner, a plate rotative between the burner and base, a ring below said plate, an ash scraper carried by said plate and movable thereover, and means independent of said 'fuel 1130 feeding means for rotating said plate. f

l2. In a Stoker, in combination with a burner, an ash conduit having an opening in its topyan ash sweeper to sweep ashes into the opening in said conduit, a ieed screw in said conduit, and drive means for said sweeper including a socketed shaft, a journal therefor removably secured at the end of said conduit, and accessible through the opening in its top, and an operative connection between said feed screw and shaft.

'13. In a Stoker, in combination with a burner, an ash ring, an ash conduit having an opening in its top, an ash sweeper movable over said ring to sweep ashes into the opening m said conduit, a

feed screw in said conduit, and drive means for l said sweeper including a socketed shaft, a journal therefor removably secured at the end o' said conduit, and accessible through the opening in its top, said shaft having a non-circular socket and the screw having a complemental end receivable 350 -movable to permit removal of said shaft and bushing.

l5. In an underfeed solid-fuel Stoker, the combination of a substantially annular grate perforated for the passage of combustion air to the burning fuel and having a central opening, a base means on which said perforated grate is mounted, said base means having a stationary portion, means for feeding fuel upwardly through the center opening of said grate and thence outwardly toward the outer edge thereof from which the ashes pass, a rotating member independent of said grate mounted on said stationary portion of the base means, means for rotating said member, an ash sweeper mounted on said rotating member for revolution in a path to which ashes from said grate find their way, and ash removing means having an ash inlet adjacent the path of said sweeper.

16. In an underfeed solid-fuel Stoker, the'combination of a substantially annular grate, perforated for the passage of combustion air to the burning fuel and having a central opening, a base means on which said perforated grate is mounted and having a substantially annular stationary portion substantially coaxial with said grate, means for feeding fuel upwardly through the center opening of said grate and thence outwardly. toward the outer edge thereof from which the ashes pass, a member independentof said grate rotatably mounted on said annular'stationary portion of the base, an ash sweeper carried by said member for movement in a path to which ashes from the grate find their way, means for rotating said member, and means for receiving ashes having its ash intake located adjacent said path.

17. The subject matter of claim 16, characterized by the fact that said rotatable member includes a downwardly extending flange to shield from ashes-the bearing of said rotatable member on said annular portion of the base.

18. The subject matter of claim 16, characterized by the fact that said rotatable member includes an annular downwardly extending portion to shield from ashes its bearing on said stationary portion of the base, and means to push ashes outwardly, in a direction away from said bearing, on a lower part of said downwardly extending portion of said rotatable portion.

19. In an automatic solid-fuel Stoker, in combination, a burner structure, a base supporting ,said burner structure, an ash conduit, an ash ing a bearing-support for said rotatable member, and an ash sweeper on said member.

21. The combination with a grate perforated for the passage of combustion air, and a base supporting the same,.of means for feeding fuel upwardly through said grate and thence outwardly toward the outer edge thereof, the ashes passing over the outer edge of the grate, a rotatable sweeper-supporting member, the axis of rotation of which is substantially the vertical center line of said grate, an ash sweeper carried by said member for movement in a path to which ashes passing over the outer edge of the grate nd their way, both said member and said sweeper being at a lower level than the outer edge of said grate, and means for turning said member.

22. In a solid-fuel stolzer, the combination with a grate perforated for the passage of air, and la fuel conveyor to deliver fuel to substantially the center of the grate, the ashes passing outwardly toward and discharging from the grate over the outer edge of the latter, of an ash conveyor, means for driving the ash conveyor, an ash sweeper movable around the vertical center line of the grate in a path to which ashes discharging over the outer edge of the grate find their way, to convey such ashes to said ash' conveyor, and means connecting said ash sweeper to said ash conveyor through which the ash conveyor drives vthe sweeper.

opening, casing means outside the conduit means hereinafter mentioned and coacting with the. outer edge of said grate to enclose a chamber `through which said combustion air passes to the grate, and conduit means for leading fuel upwardly to said opening, and including a member movable about the vertical center line of said grate, of a driven ring encircling said vertical center line at a lower level than the outer edge of said grate and located outside said casing means, means for turning said ring around said center line, and driving means connecting said movable member to said ring through which said ring moves said member.

24. The combination of a grate perforated for the passage of combustion air, base means therefor including means supporting said grate and providing an air chamber for the passage of said combustion air to said grate, means for feeding fuel upwardly through said grate and thence outwardly toward the outer edge thereof, the ashes passing over the outer edge of the grate, a rotatable sweeper-supporting member, the axis of rota-v tion of which is substantially the vertical center line of said grate, said sweeper-supporting member being located outside said means providing an air chamber for the passage of the combustion air to the grate, an ash sweeper carried by said member for movement in a path to which ashes passing over the outer edge of said grate find their way, both said member and said sweeper being atfa lower level than the outer edge of said grate, and means for turning said member.

25. The combination of a grate perforated for the passage of combustion air, base means therefor including means supporting the said grate and providing an upwardly-opening fuel passage and a Wall substantially encircling said grate and co-acting with the outer edge of said grate to provide an air chamber for the passage of said combustion air to said grate, means for feeding fuel, through said fuel passage, upwardly through said grate and thence outwardly toward the outer edge thereof, the ashes passing over the outer edge of the grate, a rotatable sweeper-supporting member, the axis of rotation of which is substantially the vertical center line of said grate, said sweeper-supporting member being located entirely outside said chamber, an ash sweeper car- ADOLPH oUsDAm.. 

